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The Senate handed a $95 billion overseas help invoice for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Tuesday — with greater than 20 Republicans defying former President Donald Trump who fervently spoke out in opposition to the invoice, which now faces an unsure future within the Home.
The Senate voted 70-29 to approve the invoice early Tuesday, with 22 Republican senators supporting it.
Trump, whose opposition to the preliminary nationwide safety supplemental led to its demise, lambasted the overseas help invoice, saying in a social media publish over the weekend that the US ought to solely mortgage cash to overseas allies.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a nationwide safety hawk who as soon as supported the overseas help, voted no on the invoice Tuesday and echoed Trump’s feedback that any help must be a mortgage — regardless that a lot of the cash would go to American corporations to replenish U.S. arms provides.
The invoice now heads to the Home, nonetheless, Speaker Mike Johnson, in a press release Monday night time, strongly recommended he might not take the Senate invoice on the ground for debate or a vote as a result of it doesn’t deal with the southern border. The Senate settlement didn’t embody any extra cash for the southern border after an try to pair them collapsed final week.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer mentioned in a Tuesday morning information convention that he hopes to impress upon Johnson how pressing it’s for the Home to behave on the invoice. Schumer mentioned he hopes to talk to Johnson immediately within the coming days.
Charles Schumer (D-NY) speaks on the Nationwide Safety Supplemental Invoice throughout a press convention on the U.S. Capitol on February 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. The invoice, which obtained contentious debate and months of negotiations within the Senate, offers army help to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan however is predicted to be obtained with uncertainty within the Home of Representatives.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures
“My message [to Johnson] is this can be a uncommon second the place historical past is wanting upon the US and seeing if we are going to rise up for our values, stand as much as bullies like Putin and do the correct factor,” Schumer mentioned. “I’ll say to Speaker Johnson I’m assured that there is a giant majority within the Home who will vote for this invoice. I’m assured there are lots of Republicans in his caucus, I do know I’ve spoken to an entire bunch of them who feels strongly we must go this invoice and I’ll urge Speaker Johnson to step up-to-the-minute and do the correct factor.”
Schumer mentioned Home Republicans could be giving a “huge present to Vladimir Putin” if they don’t act.
“The duty now falls on Speaker Johnson and Home Republicans to approve this invoice swiftly. And I name on Speaker Johnson to rise to the event. To do the correct factor. Deliver this invoice to the ground. As I mentioned, given the massive majority, strong majority right here within the Senate it’s clear that if that invoice was dropped at the ground, our invoice is delivered to the ground, it would go. But when the hard-right kills this invoice, it might be an unlimited present to Vladimir Putin.”
Schumer was requested various questions on doable Home amendments to this package deal. Whereas he did not absolutely rule out contemplating a Home-amended model of the invoice, he did repeatedly state that he believes the Home must go the Senate model.
Requested if the he would view a Home modification to the nationwide safety supplemental altering the funds to Ukraine and Israel to loans as a non-starter — per Trump’s suggestion, Schumer mentioned “we ought to stay with this invoice.”
“I imply, nobody even is aware of how this mortgage program would work. As a result of Donald Trump says one thing doesn’t suggest Republicans ought to march in lockstep to do it,” Schumer mentioned.
President Joe Biden issued a press release Tuesday urging the Home to take up the nationwide safety invoice that gives help for Ukraine and Israel.
“I applaud the bipartisan coalition of Senators who got here collectively to advance this settlement, and I urge the Home to maneuver on this with urgency,” the assertion mentioned. “We can’t afford to attend any longer.”
The White Home warned Tuesday that failure by the Home to go extra help for Israel and Ukraine would name into query American management on the world stage.
“It sends messages not simply to allies and companions, however to potential adversaries as properly, that the US cannot be counted on. That we’re not fascinated about being a frontrunner on the world stage,” Nationwide Safety Communications Advisor John Kirby informed ABC Information’ Mary Bruce.
Israel is in a struggle actually for his or her lives and the Ukrainians are too for his or her democracy. So, I believe it sends a robust sign to the entire world … that maybe sure members of Congress aren’t prepared to point out and reveal the type of American management on the world stage that President Biden has,” Kirby added.
After the vote, Schumer praised the bipartisan effort that led to the invoice’s passage.
“These previous few months have been a fantastic take a look at for the U.S. Senate, to see if we may escape the centrifugal pull of partisanship and summon the desire to defend Western Democracy when it mattered most,” Schumer mentioned in short remarks on Senate flooring. “This morning, the Senate has resoundingly handed the take a look at.”
Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell, who voted to advance the invoice, issued a press release praising the passage as an affirmation “reaffirming a dedication to rebuild and modernize our army, restore our credibility, and provides the present commander in chief, in addition to the subsequent, extra instruments to safe our curiosity.”
“Historical past settles each account,” McConnell added. “And at the moment, on the worth of American management and power, historical past will document that the Senate didn’t blink.”
ABC Information’ Lauren Peller, Morgan Winsor and Justin Gomez contributed to this report.
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